Florida State University Search
Building Excellence: Phil Gleason
01/08/2025
Master Craftsman Studio (MCS) is a unique university auxiliary associated with FSU Facilities. They specialize in creating one-of-a-kind custom art pieces for the campus community and private clients. As Master Craftsman Studio Production Manager, Phil Gleason manages Master Craftsman’s daily production meetings, quality control, design meetings, and client interactions.
Gleason began his tenure at Master Craftsman Studio in May of 2008. While in graduate school, he was a student employee for three years and will celebrate 20 years at FSU in August of 2025.
Prior to working at FSU, Gleason worked as a cook and a waiter before returning to school to finish his Bachelor of Fine Arts. In the past, he’s also worked at the Lutheran Brotherhood insurance company and as a laborer for Farr Construction. Gleason earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, in 1999, a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota in 2003, and a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture Concentration from FSU in 2008.
Gleason notes that there isn’t an average day in his role. Even days that may at first appear to be structured involve unexpected project incidents and client interactions. Gleason’s job is to continue moving Master Craftsman’s projects past all of these obstacles. Therefore, every day involves unique problem-solving, which Gleason notes makes the job fun, different, challenging, and sometimes difficult. In his role, he also writes estimates and contracts, order materials needed for projects and oversees administrative duties.
Gleason’s favorite part about working at FSU is the sense of community that he feels across the campus.
“After being here for over 15 years, Facilities is full of familiar faces, great coworkers, and even good friends. I like it when we get to work with other departments so we can get to know more people in our campus community,” said Gleason.
Outside of the office, Gleason enjoys doing art in his 500-square-foot home studio that he built on his property two years ago.
Aside from his art, Gleason likes going to the beach and catching music, comedy, cultural, and sporting events with friends. He loves traveling to new places and traversing the U.S. to visit friends and family while seeing beautiful state parks along the way. He and his wife, Emily, who works for FSU HR Training, like going for bike rides and walks in parks around town or cooking out with friends. He’s always up for cooking a good meal, trying new foods, or trying new drinks at the local breweries around town.
Gleason and Emily also have a cat named Foxy who is 15 years old. His two younger sisters live in Denver, while his dad lives in Austin, MN, and is farming again in retirement.